Note: The state of the church’s conditions may have changed since we visited this place in 2013. The photos and article preserve a snapshot of the church at that time. As we love unusual places and things, we’ll leave this up as a memory of what once existed.
Detroit is full of abandoned buildings and back in 2013, the extent of urban blight was shocking. Small mom-and-pop shops, large factories like the Packard Plant, homes, schools, and even churches like this one, the former site of the Abundant Life Christian Church.
I know that locals aren’t happy with tourists visiting the city to explore abandoned buildings. They want everyone to know there’s so much more to Detroit. I believe this to be true after staying at an urban farm for the weekend and checking out other community initiatives, like the Heidelberg Project.
The Abandoned Abundant Life Christian Church In Detroit
However, I couldn’t help but be fascinated by these empty buildings and when I saw this church, I knew it was a place I just had to see for myself. What I found was eerie, haunting, and in a strange way, beautiful. While it’s sad to see such a beautiful building fall victim to decay and neglect, there’s no shortage of places for people to go and worship. Detroit has plenty of churches and actually has more churches per square mile than any other city in the US.
The Abundant Life Christian Church had been vacant since 2009 after a fire broke out in the attic. From there, looters began taking items from the church and gradually picked them apart until nothing was left. The pews and stained glass windows then disappeared.
To learn more about the history of the Abundant Life Christian Church, check out this article from Detroit Urbex.
Watch/share this video about the Abundant Life Christian Church and better yet, subscribe to my YouTube channel for even more travel-related videos.
What do you think about the Abundant Life Christian Church? Have you ever visited an abandoned site in Detroit? Tell us more in the comments below.
Location
Good To Know
1) I visited this church in the spring of 2013, so this piece is more of a snapshot back in time than anything else. I’m not sure of the current status of the church, so if you know, please update our readers by leaving a kind comment below.
2) Book a place to stay while you’re in Detroit with booking.com.
Booking.com3) If you want to experience Detroit further, book a guided tour.
4) If you like traveling to the US as much as I do, check these popular blog posts:
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Love this! I went to an abandoned beach resort in Mexico, but this…this is special. 🙂
@Raymond – It was very special! An abandoned beach resort sounds pretty interesting as well. 🙂
I find something so beautiful in abandoned buildings. Feels so surreal.
Jeska – Me too! Although, I hope more than anything that Detroit’s on the path to recovery.
Cheryl, my father was the minister of this church on Grand River from 1956-1967. It was Calvary Presbyterian and had a beautiful sanctuary with a magnificent organ, chapel downstairs, huge gym, many classrooms, offices, etc. Members were very involved in the Civil Rights struggle. After almost 50 years I returned to Detroit and we drove past it just this week. Like being in a ghost town.
Hey Linda –
Thanks for your comment and sharing your story. It must have been a surreal experience to see the church how it is today!
Hope Detroit makes the comeback it deserves.
Cheryl
Hello. I am a current member of Abundant Life Christian Center. And we are currently still worshipping on Grandriver just shy of seven mile. 25210 Grand River. Redford. And we are very much alive. And florishing. That was our building, but our church still lives on. Our leaders Bishop Harold and Pastor Fellicia Duncan are still changing the lives and loving on those that enter the church.
Hi Ericka – Thanks for your comment. I am glad to hear the community is continuing to thrive. All the best!
Cheryl
Abundant Life Christain Church is in the empowerment zone, not the church you wrote your misinformed article on. We have never had a fire! YES we are located in the area you said but NO we are not that picture!
You should redo your article.pl
Hi there Prenestine – Thanks for your comments. I always strive to keep my content accurate and can own up to mistakes when made. The article was based on research and all sources confirm that this is the church I wrote about. I’m happy to make changes, but in order to verify what you say, kindly provide me with sources I can use to rewrite the article.
Thanks!
Cheryl
This is defamation of character for our ministry; this church was sold to faith for deliverance church. Now is currently owned by Dennis Kefallinos. Thank you for your time.
Hi Naylan, See my previous comment. We wrote about how things were at the time, based on research. We’re happy to ammend the article, but we need links that we can reference as a source. Kindly provide them if you have them. Thanks!